Is genetically modified food safe?Frankenfoods Adverse Affect on Environment

When the question is asked 'is genetically modified food safe' the answer is usually different from what one might think. Genetically modified foods can be found can be found in grocery stores in about sixty to seventy percent of processed foods you purchase. But the question of it being safe is a debate going on among both the United States and The Europe Union. The US governments stance in that frankenfoods are safe and that they have a better chance to resist disease and can be supply much needed food for starving nations. The European Union wants to keep it out as they believe the risks to the environment and health are greater than the benefits.

You wouldn't know you were buying frankenfood either since it is not labeled on the product. This is another debate among the European Union and the US weather or not genetically modified food should be labeled or not. With all this debate over GM food being healthy or not has to make one think if it is something that is really needing a debate over. Regulations on the genetically modified food differs from country to country and has been put up to the test over and over.

Genetically Modified foods is a way of changing the DNA make-up of a seed and the changes are something that do not happen naturally. Through the use of Biotechnology to transfer one gene to another and than planted and grown. The growth of large crops of GM food may have a negative and positive effect on the environment. One positive look is the effect of insect resistant crops which lowers the amount of insects that feed on such crops. There has also been research done to determine what effects the crops could have on insects that feed on them.

The general population has concerns over the effects of frankenfoods and what they could or will do. Though research shows that there is no health concerns for this and that most of the GM food that you eat is not going to effect you in a negative way. Skeptics and critics will tell you different. Either way there are some growing concerns related to GM foods. Unless you grow your own vegetables and fruits you have probably already eaten a fair share of frankenfoods over the years. One reason why the US is so loose with regulations when it comes to such foods is because they might not be sure how to enforcer the regulations that they could put on such products.

• The introduction of allergens and toxins to plants
• Accidental contamination between frankenfoods and non-modified foods.
• Antibiotic resistance

With all the cons there are a few pros that in some cases might out-weigh the cons in a manner that is seen as a reason to genetically modify foods.

• Increased pest and disease resistance
• Drought Tolerance
• Increased Food Supply

I am not one who is into this whole matter about GM foods, I personally like my food natural and without all the chemicals. This is one reason we have a garden with fresh fruits and vegetables in it as I know what is being put on the table in my salad. For those who are concerned about the matter, the biggest thing you can do is research and look into the matter. See where your politicians stand and find out the facts of what the effects are on your environment and your community. Genetically Modified food has benefits on a large scale as it can feed more people and help starving nations, but in the small terms, we really don't need to keep messing with our environment and adding things into it that can possible cause ill side effects.